Over 500 complete Gokongwei Brothers Foundation training

MORE than 500 individuals have completed a technical-vocational training program in Calamba, Laguna that prepares participants for entry-level roles in manufacturing, according to the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF).

The program, Iskolar ni Juan, is a one-year course supported by Universal Robina Corp. (URC) that provides training in mechatronics servicing and instrumentation and control servicing.

Participants undergo seven months of classroom and laboratory instruction at the GBF Technical Training Center, followed by five months of on-the-job training at URC production facilities.

Graduates receive a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Certificate II, qualifying them for entry-level positions such as production operators, machine technicians and maintenance workers.

GBF said in a statement over the weekend that the program has produced more than 500 graduates since its launch in 2014 and has maintained a 100% passing rate in certification examinations.

The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, meals, transportation, uniforms, school supplies and training allowances.

Established in 1992, GBF runs scholarship and education programs focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In addition to its technical-vocational initiatives, the foundation provides scholarships for college STEM students, young scientists, and children of sugarcane and potato farmers.

“Education is key to uplifting the lives of Filipinos,” the foundation said, citing a principle that has guided the organization since its establishment and was shared by its founders, including the late industrialist John Gokongwei, Jr.

GBF said it has supported 3,428 scholars to date, including 1,988 graduates and 1,263 active scholars. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno